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Background: Distal radius fractures are a common injury and without proper treatment leads to high functional impairment and frequent complications. Objective: The aim of this study was to see the functional outcome in patients with comminuted distal radius fractures treated with combined external fixation and open reduction with volar plating. Materials and methods: All comminuted distal radius fractures classified as type C in AO/OTA classification were enrolled for the study from 2005 till 2008. The clinical scoring chart modified by Cooney was used to evaluate the functional outcome. Results: There were twenty-two patients with the average age of 42.18 years (range 19-60) with 15 male and 7 females. The follow-up period was from 14 to 46 months. Accordingly, there were 11 (50%) excellent, 7 (31%) good, 2 (9%) fair and 2 (9%) poor results. There were very few complications in our series. In three patients additional K-wire supplementation was necessary along with external and open internal fixation. Conclusions: Comminuted intra-articular fractures of distal radius should be treated by open reduction and combined internal and external fixation to achieve a high rate of patient satisfaction and satisfactory functional outcome. Key words: distal radius fractures; volar plating; external fixation DOI: 10.3126/kumj.v7i4.2756 Kathmandu University Medical Journal (2009) Vol.7, No.4 Issue 28, 369-373

(1943). An Oblique Projection For Roentgen Examination of the Talo-Calcanean Joint, Particularly Regarding Intra-Articular Fracture of the Calcaneus. Acta Radiologica: Vol. 24, No. 4, pp. 306-310.

Summary Objective Post-traumatic arthritis is a frequent cause of disability and occurs most commonly and predictably after articular fracture. The objective of this investigation was to examine the effect of fracture severity on acute joint pathology in a novel murine model of intra-articular fracture. Design Low and high energy articular fractures ( n =25 per group) of the tibial plateau were created in adult male C57BL/6 mice. The acute effect of articular fracture severity on synovial inflammation, bone morphology, liberated fracture area, cartilage pathology, chondrocyte viability, and systemic cytokines and biomarkers levels was assessed at 0, 1, 3, 5, and 7 days post-fracture. Results Increasing intra-articular fracture severity was associated with greater acute pathology in the synovium and bone compared to control limbs, including increased global synovitis and reduced periarticular bone density and thickness. Applied fracture energy was significantly correlated with degree of liberated cortical bone surface area, indicating greater comminution. Serum concentrations of hyaluronic acid (HA) were significantly increased 1 day post-fracture. While articular fracture significantly reduced chondrocyte viability, there was no relationship between fracture severity and chondrocyte viability, cartilage degeneration, or systemic levels of cytokines and biomarkers. Conclusions This study demonstrates that articular fracture is associated with a loss of chondrocyte viability and increased levels of systemic biomarkers, and that increased intra-articular fracture severity is associated with increased acute joint pathology in a variety of joint tissues, including synovial inflammation, cortical comminution, and bone morphology. Further characterization of the early events following articular fracture could aid in the treatment of post-traumatic arthritis.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare midterm functional and radiographic results of minimal invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) with intramedullary nailing (IMN) of simple intra-articular distal tibial fractures (AO-OTA type 43 C1-C2). Methods: Seventy-three simple intra-articular distal tibial fracture patients were evaluated retrospectively. All were treated between 2009 and 2014. The average age of the patients was 40.3 years. Thirty-seven patients were treated with IMN and 36 patients were treated with MIPO. Fibular plate osteosynthesis was applied in 5 cases (13.5%) in the IMN group and in 23 patients (63.9%) in the MIPO group. Results: Functional results and complications of IMN and MIPO methods were assessed in 73 patients. The average union time was 16.4 ± 2.7 weeks in the IMN group and 15.2 ± 1.8 weeks in the MIPO group (p = 0.079). The average Olerud-Molander Ankle Score was 87.8 ± 8.1 in the IMN group and 81.5 ± 11.8 in the MIPO group (p = 0.013). Four patients in the IMN group experienced valgus malunion, while it was not observed in any patients in the MIPO group (p = 0.042). Recurvatum malunion was detected in 10 patients in the MIPO group and not seen in the IMN group (p = 0.001). Ankle dorsiflexion angle was 25.8 ± 4.5° in the IMN group and 33.3 ± 8.9° in the MIPO group (p = 0.000). Conclusion: Simple intra-articular distal tibial fractures are successfully treated with IMN and MIPO. Prevalence of valgus malunion was higher in the IMN group and recurvatum was more prevalent in the MIPO group. MIPO is the first preference according to the literature; however, successful results have been obtained with IMN in this fracture pattern. Level of Evidence: Level III, Therapeutic Study. Keywords: Distal tibial fractures, Intra-articular fractures, Intramedullary nailing, Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis, Minimally invasive surgery

The treatment of tibial plafond fractures requires careful management of the soft tissue envelope, reconstruction of the articular surface and stable fixation with minimal additional damage. Thirty cases of AO type 43 C tibial fractures were treated by transosseous osteosynthesis (Ilizarov technique). The external fixator constructs used were Ilizarov (Transosseous osteosynthesis: theoretical and clinical aspects of the regeneration and growth of tissue, Springer, Berlin, 1992) and Sheffield (Classification AO des fractures, Springer, Berlin, 1987) circular fixator systems. All tibial plafond fractures healed. Using radiological criteria for assessment of reduction of the articular fragments and the clinical scoring system described by Teeny and Wiss, there were excellent and good restoration of articular structure in 27 cases and good clinical results in 14. This treatment method compares well with previous published series and is to be recommended for this group of difficult fractures.

According to characteristic of anatomical structure of calcaneus and sinus tarsi approach, the minimally invasive plate for treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures had been designed. Here we aimed to review the effect of this treatment. Forty intra-articular calcaneal fractures in 38 patients from September 2006 to September 2008 were treated with percutaneous plate via sinus tarsi approach under the monitoring of C-shaped arms. All calcaneal anatomical parameters, including height, width, length, Böhlers angle and Gissane angle were measured by X-ray before and after surgery. Postoperative lateral wound healing was also evaluated and clinical functional outcomes were graded using the Maryland foot score. All patients had been followed up for an average of 12 months ranged from 3 months to 24 months. X-ray indicated satisfactory restoration of the calcaneal height, width, length, Böhlers angle and Gissanes angle. Maryland foot score demonstrated that excellent result was achieved in 32 cases, good in 6 cases, fair in 2 cases, and the excellent and good rate was 95%. Postoperative complications were not found in all fractured feet. Our results suggest that this minimally invasive sinus tarsi approach with new designed plate and screw fixation technique for the treatment of intra-articular calcaneal fractures can not only obtain the satisfactory outcomes, but also can effectively prevent surgical complications.

Percutaneous fixation method has been applied in Schatzker type III joint depressed-type lateral tibial plateau fracture. We report a 76-year-old man suffering from a small joint depressed-type posterolateral tibial plateau fracture with surgical reduction and fixation with a novel guidance of posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction femoral template under X-ray and arthroscopic assistance. The concept of sequential tunnel drilling in ligament reconstruction has been applied in bone impaction tunnel creation beneath the articular step with the PCL jig. Avoidance of multiple bone guide pin drilling and accurate guide pin insertion and hence screw fixation was also achieved by use of the PCL template. As illustrated, we believe that the PCL jig is a good armamentarium and adjunct equipment to achieve a more precise minimally invasive operation in special anatomical positions such as the postero-lateral tibial plateau under careful surgical planning.

When a mallet finger deformity results from an intra-articular fracture of the distal phalanx comprising more than one third of the articular surface, an accurate reduction of this fracture is necessary to prevent secondary degenerative arthritis. A technique for open reduction is described in which the distal interphalangeal joint is exposed by dividing the extensor tendon and permitting a precise reduction of the fracutre fragment. Elective division of the extensor tendon had not compromised the results.

Two cases of locked index finger causing an intra-articular fracture of the metacarpal head due to forced passive extension are described. We suggest that any manipulation should be gentle and if this is unsuccessful, surgical exploration is necessary.

A method of reducing deformity of displaced, intra-articular fractures of the calcaneum is described, together with a programme of management aimed at restoring a painless and mobile foot. The clinical and radiographic results are presented in 41 patients treated over a 10-year period, with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. The complications, none of which was serious, are described. The results are compared with a group of 52 patients whose fractures were treated over the same period by early movements without any attempt at reduction. Although disabling pain was not a notable feature in either group, more patients in the reduced group had resumed work of a heavy nature entailing climbing or walking on rough ground. Analysis of the figures suggests that this is related to the better function regained in the subtalar joint by this group.

Twenty-three patients with dislocated intrarticular fractures of the base of the fifth metacarpal were treated during the last 3 years in our department. This fracture characteristically occurs in young, active males, and the most frequent mechanism of this injury is axial force striking the metacarpal head, mostly in fist fights. In 8 patients, the fracture was caused by direct force hitting the base of the fifth metacarpal. Four certain fracture patterns are described. Operative treatment by open reduction and fixation with two Kirschner wires generally gave good results.

Forty-two patients with pilon fractures were followed 24 to 96 (mean, 53) months post-fracture. Fractures were classified as Type I (26%), Type II (29%), or Type III (45%) as defined by Ruedi and Allgower. Type I fractures were usually torsional in nature whereas Type II and III injuries were usually the result of a fall from a height or motor vehicle accident. Type I and II pilon fractures were amenable to anatomic open reduction and stable internal fixation and 80% or more had satisfactory results. Only 44% of Type III fractures treated by open reduction and internal fixation produced a satisfactory outcome. Nonanatomic reduction, unstable fixation, infection, nonunion, and/or angulation were the usual causes of failure of this form of treatment.

Fifty-one adult patients with 54 intra-articular fractures of the calcaneus have been reviewed from one to 11 years after the injury. Treatment consisted in immediate active exercises of the foot without any attempt at reduction or immobilization. The patients resumed full weight-bearing, on the average, three months after injury. The overall results were excellent in 19, good in 24 and unsatisfactory, objectively and subjectively, in 11 feet. In this consecutive series, the majority of the fractures had a marked degree of displacement. Excluding undisplaced fractures which had a good result, no clear cut relation between the type and degree of displacement and the final result could be found. However, there were more unsatisfactory results in fractures in which the tuber-joint angle was equal to or less than 10 degrees.

Background Two common surgical approaches included the sinus tarsi and extensile lateral are used for displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures. However, few studies have compared outcome of treated by the two approaches. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcome between these two approaches for Sanders type-II and type-III fractures. Methods This retrospective cohort study was performed from 2004 to 2011. Open reduction and internal fixation using the sinus tarsi and extensile lateral approach was studied in 100 cases (40 sinus tarsi and 60 extensile lateral) with displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures. All patients were evaluated both clinically and radiologically. Results Median Böhler and Gissane angle were improved to 26.5 degree (4.6 to 45), 115.5 degree (101.2 to 127.4) in the sinus tarsi group and 25.3 degree (3.7 to 44.6), 119.0 degree (73.5 to 145.6) in extensile lateral group at the final follow-up, respectively. Median calcaneal height, length, and width in the sinus tarsi and extensile lateral groups showed improvement to 45.1 mm (23.2 to 54.1), 75.9 mm (64.9 to 90.3), 37.6 mm (29.2 to 53.9) and 46.5 mm (32.7 to 59.5), 76.1 mm (67.3 to 97.9), 39.3 mm (29.2 to 47.8) at the final follow-up, respectively. Median AOFAS score was checked to 90 points (76 to 94) in the sinus tarsi group and 86 points (76 to 94) in the extensile lateral group at the final follow-up. No significant differences in clinical and radiologic outcomes were observed between the two groups. However, wound complication rate (13.3%) in the extensile lateral group was significantly higher compared to the sinus tarsi group (p-value = 0.022). Conclusions The final clinical and radiographic outcomes between the two approaches for Sanders type-II and type-III intra-articular calcaneal fractures were comparable and equally successful. The selective sinus tarsi approach appears to be an effective and reliable method for the treatment of Sanders type-II and type-III fractures.

Between 1980 and 1987, twenty-one patients who had a displaced fracture of the body of the tarsal navicular were treated with open reduction and internal fixation. A classification system was devised on the basis of the direction of the fracture line, the pattern of disruption of the surrounding joints, and the direction of displacement of the foot. In a Type-1 injury, the fracture line is in the coronal plane and there is no angulation of the fore part of the foot. In a Type-2 fracture, the primary fracture line is dorsal-lateral to plantar-medial, and the major fragment and the fore part of the foot are displaced medially. In a Type-3 injury, there is a comminuted fracture in the sagittal plane of the body of the tarsal navicular, and the fore part of the foot is laterally displaced. Satisfactory reduction, which was defined as restoration of more than 60 per cent of the joint surface in the anteroposterior and lateral planes, was achieved in all Type-1 injuries, 67 per cent of the Type-2 fractures, and 50 per cent of the Type-3 fractures. Radiographic evidence of healing was seen at an average of 8.5 weeks after injury. At an average follow-up of forty-four months (range, twelve to 106 months), a good result was noted in fourteen patients (67 per cent); a fair result, in four (19 per cent); and a poor result, in three (14 per cent). Both the type of fracture and the accuracy of the operative reduction directly correlated with the final clinical outcome.

Eleven typical cases are reported to demonstrate a bimanual traction-bending reduction technique for the calcaneal fracture associated with fracture-dislocation of the subtalar joint. The method reported is recommended for the initial treatment of calcaneal fractures.